Norwich — A November chill often reminds people that it's time to think of those less fortunate as winter approaches, but the current warm weather trend shouldn't put off those thoughts, organizers of the 18th annual Thames Valley Council for Community Action food drive said.

The drive started at 6 a.m. Thursday, when on-air personalities from WCTY-97.7 FM in Norwich set up their broadcast booth outside the Big Y Supermarket on Route 82 in Norwich for the two-day, nonstop fundraiser that will conclude at 6 p.m. Friday.

The drive collected nearly 10,000 pounds of food in 2015, but Megan Brown, senior director of marketing and development for TVCCA, said that included a one-time donation of an entire tractor-trailer load of food that is not expected to be repeated this year.

“So we really need people to come by and donate what they can,” Brown said Thursday morning.

By 11 a.m., the drive had collected 600 pounds of donated food — weighed on a large bathroom scale before being loaded into a Big Y trailer the organizers hope to fill.

“It's been a little slow,” Brown said.

All the food donated will be delivered to the Gemma E. Moran United Way/Labor Food Center in New London. The center distributes food to numerous food pantries and meal sites throughout the region.

Cash donations during the two-day food drive will go into the TVCCA emergency fund, which helps clients with emergencies such as car repairs or unexpected big bills. The cash donation portion of the drive wasn't slow Thursday morning, Brown said. A crew from Norwich Public Utilities stopped by to donate $1,000. A jar on the front table of the food drive booth contained bills of various values.

Walter Clark of Colchester stopped by to see what the booth was for and was urged to sign up in free WCTY raffles to win tickets to either a Miranda Lambert or Keith Urban concert.

“I never win anything,” Clark said, but filled out the form for the tickets anyway. “I should donate something," he added. He was told no donation was required for the drawing, but Clark opened his wallet and dropped bills in the jar.

TVCCA has posted signs throughout Big Y listing items most desired for the food drive, including dry pasta, soup and broth, brown and white rice, peanut butter, canned vegetables, 100 percent juice, cereal and oatmeal. The drive also is collecting fresh or frozen turkeys, which are being stored in the Big Y freezer until delivery to the Gemma Moran center, Brown said.

While the TVCCA drive does not include pet food, needy pets are not being left out this season.

Pet Valu pet supply stores are conducting a “Thanks for Giving” collection drive throughout this month to raise awareness and collect food and supplies for local shelters and rescue groups that help homeless animals. Pet Valu has a store in the Marcus Plaza on Route 82, a few miles from the Big Y Supermarket.

Customers are encouraged to make monetary donations in store and to drop off food and unused supplies for pets at their local Pet Valu stores. Customers also will be able to feed a homeless dog or cat for a week by purchasing a food care package for $5.

“It’s important to not forget about the vulnerable homeless cats and dogs living in shelters as we buy gifts for everyone else during the holiday season,” Joe Dent, vice president and U.S. general manager for Pet Valu, said in a news release. “We’re looking forward to our customers stepping up and donating these much-needed supplies to the animals that need them most.”

c.bessette@theday.com